LawrenceSternetoMissL.
Yes!Iwillstealfromtheworld,andnotababblingtongueshalltellwhereIam.Echoshallnotsomuchaswhispermyhidingplace.Suffertheimaginationtopermititasalittlesun-lightcottage,onthesideofaromantichill.DostthouthinkIwillleaveloveandfriendshipbehindme?No!Theyshallbemycompanionsinsolitude,fortheywillsitdownandriseupwithmeintheamiableformofmyL…WewillbeasmerryandasinnocentasourfirstparentsinParadise,beforethearch-fiendenteredthatindescribablescene.
Thekindestaffectionswillhaveroomtoshootandexpandinourretirement,andproducesuchfruitasmadnessandenvyandambitionhavealwayskilledinthebud.Letthehumantempestandhurricanerageatadistance,thedesolationisbeyondthehorizonofpeace.MyL…hasseenapolyanthusblowinDecember…mefriendlywallhassheltereditfromthebitingwind.Noplanetaryinfluenceshallreachusbutthatwhichpresidesandcherishesthesweetestflowers.Godpreserveus!Howdelightfulthisprospectinidea!Wewillbuildandwewillplant,inourownway…simplicityshallnotbetorturedbyart.Wewilllearnofnaturehowtolive…sheshallbeouralchemist,tomingleallthegoodoflifeinonesalubriousdraught.Thegloomyfamilyofcareanddistrustshallbebanishedfromourdwelling,guardedbythekindandtutelarydeity.Wewillsingourchoralsongsofgratitudeandrejoicetotheendofourpilgrimage.
Adieu,myL…
Returntoonewholanguishesforyoursociety.
